The American Bakers Association has filed a citizen petition with seven other trade associations to exempt from compliance or modify the requirements for facilities that are solely engaged in the storage of packaged foods that are not exposed to the environment.

“This petition is helpful for bakers of all sizes–large, small and independent family bakers as well as for other food industry sectors,” said ABA President and CEO Robb MacKie, in press release announcing the petition.

According to the petition, Congress specified that the FDA implement the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) in a manner that acknowledges different levels of risk posed by various operations. ABA’s petition embraces the intended risk-based regulatory approach being mindful that the public health benefit must justify the cost of compliance.

“At a time when FDA resources are stretched, the baking industry is stepping up to provide an efficient, productive approach to implementing FSMA so that FDA can focus its resources on higher risk issues,” said ABA senior vice president, government relations and public affairs Lee Sanders in the statement.

ABA’s petition partners include: the American Frozen Food Institute, Grocery Manufacturers of America, International Bottled Water Association, International Dairy Foods Association, International Warehouse Logistics Association, Peanut and Tree Nut Association and Snack Food Association.

Subsequent to filing the petition, ABA and several of its petition partners met with FDA deputy commissioner for foods Mike Taylor, J.D., and his senior team to discuss FSMA policy issues including preventative controls, import and inspection compliance.